India's first offshore airport could anchor Mumbai's next aviation hub

India's aviation infrastructure could enter a new phase as the Maharashtra government moves ahead with plans for the country's first offshore airport. The state has ordered a detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed facility off Maharashtra's western coast, signalling the beginning of formal project planning rather than construction.

According to reports, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also directed officials to examine extending the Uttan-Virar Sea Link to provide direct connectivity to the proposed airport. If developed, the project would complement several large infrastructure investments planned across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

An airport built at sea

Unlike conventional airports, an offshore airport is constructed on reclaimed land or artificial islands in the sea. The approach helps overcome land shortages around densely populated cities while creating space for large aviation facilities.

The model has already been adopted in countries including Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, where offshore airports have helped accommodate growing passenger traffic without placing additional pressure on urban land.

The proposed Maharashtra airport would be India's first project of this kind.

More than an aviation project

The proposed airport is expected to be located near Kore Beach in Palghar district. According to reports, it has been planned with an annual capacity of around 90 million passengers.

Its significance extends beyond aviation.

The airport is expected to be developed alongside several strategic infrastructure projects, including:

• The proposed Vadhavan Port
• The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor
• New regional road connectivity projects
• The proposed extension of the Uttan-Virar Sea Link

Together, these projects could reshape northern MMR and establish a new logistics, transport and industrial corridor outside Mumbai.

Why Palghar has come into focus

Industry observers believe the airport proposal reinforces an emerging infrastructure cluster rather than creating one in isolation.

Speaking to NDTV, Shravan Nawany, Director of Nawany Group, said multiple public agencies have independently identified the same growth corridor over the past two years.

He cited three developments supporting the region's long-term prospects:

• CIDCO invited bids for more than 126 acres of industrial land linked to the proposed Vadhavan Port.
• Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) was appointed Special Planning Authority for 446 villages across Palghar and Raigad.
• The Maharashtra government has now initiated the airport's DPR while proposing direct sea-link connectivity.

According to Nawany, the combination of these decisions strengthens confidence in the corridor's long-term investment potential.

Airport-led development has precedent

Large airport projects have previously altered development patterns around Mumbai.

The Navi Mumbai International Airport offers a recent example. Long before commercial operations began, surrounding areas including Ulwe, Panvel and Kharghar experienced rising investor interest as infrastructure planning gathered pace.

Nawany told NDTV property markets often begin reflecting future infrastructure well before projects become operational. He believes the proposed offshore airport could follow a similar trajectory if approvals progress.

A strategic addition to western India's aviation network

The proposed location also marks a notable shift in planning.

Earlier discussions around an airport supporting Vadhavan Port largely focused on locations closer to Dahanu. The proposed site near Kore Beach moves the project considerably closer to Virar, potentially strengthening its integration with Mumbai's transport network through the proposed sea-link extension.

If completed, the airport could serve as a major aviation gateway alongside existing and planned airports in the Mumbai region while supporting freight movement linked to the upcoming deep-water port.